AMHERST, Mass. — Massachusetts (14-13, 10-7 A-10) fell to Rhode Island (16-13, 11-5 A-10) in a tightly contested 42-40 decision on Sunday afternoon. In a game that featured 13 lead changes and six times tied, UMass ultimately fell short in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter.
Prior to tipoff, Massachusetts recognized its two seniors in Stefanie Kulesza and Mikenzie Jones on Senior Day in an on-court ceremony.
Megan Olbyrs and Kulesza led the way for the Minutewomen, scoring 11 points, respectively. Olbyrs added seven rebounds and three assists, while Kulesza garnered a team-high ten rebounds.
Yahmani McKayle came closely behind, scoring nine points in pivotal moments to keep Massachusetts in the game.
Breaking Down The Action
Both teams held their ground defensively in the opening minutes, as the game went scoreless until the 5:16 marker.
Kulesza knocked down two back-to-back layups to get the Minutewomen on the board first.
McKayle hit another layup for Massachusetts, before the Rams responded with a three-pointer.
The teams traded baskets before the first quarter ended with a 2:37 minute scoring drought; the Minutewomen up 8-6 headed into the second quarter.
Rhode Island opened the second quarter with a layup from Ayanna Franks to tie the game.
Afterwards, the Rams nailed a three-pointer to take the first lead of the game with 6:52 remaining in the half, 11-8.
After trading several baskets, Allie Palmieri drained a midrange jumper to grant Massachusetts a 19-17 advantage.
Olbrys’ layup closed out the quarter, as the Minutewomen entered the second half up 21-20.
The Rams opened up the second half scoring, splashing a three-pointer to lend them a 23–21 advantage at 8:20.
After Rhode Island added to their lead, Olbrys’ layup put Massachusetts back within two points with 6:21 remaining in the third quarter
After a near three minute scoring drought, Palmieri’s triple put UMass back on top with 3:57 left on the clock, 26-25.
The Rams went on a 4-0 run, which was soon after snapped by McKayle’s jumper at 2:44.
A pair of Rhode Island free throws concluded third quarter scoring, granting them a 31-29 lead heading into the final 10 minutes of play.
McKayle scored first for UMass, hitting a pull-up jumper to make it a tie 33-33 game at 9:26.
The teams traded baskets, until Kulesza garnered back-to-back baskets to lend the Minutewomen back to a tie and thereafter the lead with 4:59 remaining, 38-36.
The Rams answered back with a three-pointer, before Olbyrs second-chance layup gave Massachusetts back the lead at 2:44.
Rhode Island landed a pair of free throws to give them a slight 41-40 edge over the Minutewomen with 1:54 remaining.
After the Rams missed their free throw attempt at 00:16, they hit their second attempt with two seconds remaining to solidify a 42-40 Rhode Island win
By The Numbers
3: Chinenye Odenigbo had a career-high three steals in the game.
6: The Minutewomen and Rams were tied six times.
10: Massachusetts earned 10 steals over the course of the 40 minutes
13: lead changes were notched across the game, a testament to the closely contested teams
15: The Minutewomen held the Rams to 15% shooting from the field in the first quarter.
23: Massachusetts forced Rhode Island to 23 turnovers.
67: The Minutewomen shot 67% from the field during the second quarter.
28: 28 of the Minutewomen’s 40 points were scored in the paint.
Up Next
The Minutewomen travel to the nation’s capital for the regular season finale against George Washington. Tip-off is scheduled for Noon.
The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+ with links and live updates available at umassathletics.com or @UMassWBB on X (Twitter).
